Grażyna Hase Fashion Exhibit

Grażyna Hase

Always in Vogue

UNTIL September 11th With the trailblazing career of Varsovian model and fashion designer Grażyna Hase as its main narrative thread, this fascinating exhibit weaves through changes in Polish fashion, culture, femininity and sexual politics over the second half of the 20th century.

Born in Warsaw in 1939, Grażyna Hase has been a fixture of the Polish fashion world since she appeared on the cover of Przekrój magazine in 1957 at age 18. Entering the industry as a model, Hase cooperated with the biggest fashion houses before breaking out as a designer in her own right. In 1967, in lieu of the typical propagandist celebrations of the PRL era, Hase organised a fashion show for the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution and debuted her groundbreaking ‘Cossack Look’ collection - “ultramodern dresses inspired by austere forms from 50 years back” as it was described at the time in Kultura magazine. Sustaining this initial success, Hase was soon presenting her designs in Paris and Toronto, had her own TV show and magazine column, and eventually her own brand with several fashion boutiques and art galleries in the centre of Warsaw. For over 40 years her designs were ubiquitous - not only in shop fronts, but on actors, stewardesses, concierges, even Polish Olympians - and Hase was at the centre of Warsaw’s social and artistic life. In 2003 she was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit - Poland’s highest civilian honour.

This exhibit at the Museum of Warsaw presents over 200 items - mostly garments, accessories and illustrated designs by Hase, plus photographs, advertisements, press and magazine clippings - while tracing her career and cultural impact. While Grażyna Hase is in the foreground, we also see the city of Warsaw - its artists, actors, models, streets, theatres, boutiques and galleries - as the capital of Polish fashion and design from the late 1950s to the early capitalist years of the 1990s. Influencers, fashionistas, designers and anyone curious about communist-era fashion, or Poland’s first iconic modern fashion designer - this exhibit is for you. QF-4, Museum of Warsaw, Rynek Starego Miasta 28-42. www.muzeumwarszawy.pl. Admission 12/7zł, Thu free. Open 11:00-18:00; Thu, Sat 11:00-20:00; closed Mon.